Ireland Announce Limited-Overs Squads for South Africa Series

Earlier today, Ireland named their limited-overs roster for the series against South Africa, which will take place in UAE. The Irish team selectors have named Paul Sterling as the captain for both the ODI and T20 sides.

However, stalwart and Ireland’s second highest run-getter in T20s, Andrew Balbirnie, has missed out on selection. The 33-year-old batsman has struggled this year, averaging 24.83 in his 12 innings and scoring at a strike rate of only 113.74. In Balbirnie’s absence, many fans think that Lorcan Tucker could open the innings with captain, Paul Sterling. Ireland’s chief selector Andrew White gave his reasoning behind dropping Balbirnie. He said, “One area we will explore on this tour is the top order in our T20 squad. We'll be looking at introducing a new dynamic, with Andrew Balbirnie sitting out the T20Is on this occasion. There are only two T20Is in the upcoming series, but they will offer important opportunities as we try to increase our levels of performance again." 

Although Andrew Balbirnie missed out on the T20 squad, he remains in Ireland’s ODI roster. Following their T20 matches, Ireland will go head-to-head against South Africa in a three-match ODI series. Another noticeable absentee from Ireland’s squad is Josh Little. The 24-year-old fast bowler has been excluded from Ireland’s squad due to his ongoing commitment towards Trinbago Knight Riders in the Carribean Premier League. In place of Balbirnie and Little, the Irish selectors have handed uncapped leg-spinner Gavin Hoey his maiden ODI call up.  

Furthermore, left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys and allrounder Gareth Delany have also been named in the squad. However, Delany is just being selected for T20s. Ross Adair will join Delany on the plane back home once the T20s end. On the other hand, Stephen Doheny and Andy McBrine will only arrive after the T20s, as they have just been selected for the three-match ODI Series.  

Following a dismal showing at the recently concluded T20 World Cup in which Ireland lost all their completed matches, the Irish selectors are targeting 2026 and 2027 as pivotal years for white-ball cricket. Ireland’s national selector Andrew White said, “2026 and 2027 are pivotal years for our white-ball squads - those years being the next T20 and 50-over World Cups respectively. Given their timeframes, it means we are looking at this upcoming series against South Africa as the start of a new cycle.” He added further, “We need to deepen our pool of international cricketers and for the likes of Gavin Hoey, he will come into the international arena with greater confidence following his involvement in such fixtures and this is hugely important. The volume of international fixtures leading into 2027 is exciting and there will be opportunities for players to make their mark." 

The T20 matches between Ireland and South Africa will take place on 27th September and 29th September. Afterwards, the two sides participate in a three-match ODI Series, with the three matches taking place on 2nd, 4th and 7th October. All the games will be held in Abu Dhabi at Zayed Cricket Stadium.  

Ireland T20I squad vs South Africa: Paul Stirling (captain), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Fionn Hand, Matthew Humphreys, Graham Hume, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young. 

Ireland ODI squad vs South Africa: Paul Stirling (captain), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Gavin Hoey, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Andy McBrine, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.